William Maley

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 11, 2013 The spy photographers strike once again! This time, photos have been caught of the 2015 Ford Mustang. Now judging from the amount of camouflage on this mule, our guess is this a prototype version of what we'll be seeing on the road sometime next year. The design will take some ideas from the Evos concept and the so-called Kinetic 2.0 design language seen on the new Fusion. The front-end is tapered and rounded, and features a large grille opening. The roofline at the back appears to have a more dramatic curve to it. Like previous times, the new Mustang is expected to come with a independent rear suspension. Engine lineup will somewhat remain the same; a V6 will stay as the base choice, followed by the much speculated 2.3L EcoBoost four, and then 5.0L V8. Then it gets a bit interesting... According to Road & Track, the SVT Shelby Cobra could be undergoing some major changes. The Shelby name is expected to be dropped off, along with supercharger. In its place will be a monstrous V8 engine, no supercharger or turbocharger to seen. Source: Automobile Magazine, Road & Track William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 10, 2013 Jeep has announced pricing for the 2014 Cherokee which will start at $23,990 (includes $995 destination charge), which is about $400 less than the outgoing Liberty. The Cherokee will be available in four different trim levels - Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk. The base engine will be 2.4L TigerShark four-cylinder with 184 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. Optional on the Latitude and Limited, and standard on the Trailhawk model is the 3.2L V6 with 271 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque paired with a nine-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard on the Sport, Latitude, and Limited trims. Four-wheel drive is standard on the Trailhawk and is a $2,000 option on the Sport, Latitude, and Limited. Trailhawk models also come with skid plates, a 56:1 crawl ratio, and an extra inch of ride height to allow the Cherokee to ford up to 20 inches of water. Standard equipment includes ten airbags, Bluetooth, a 60/40 split folding rear seat, air conditioning, LED taillights, LED daytime running lights, hill start assist, cruise control, and keyless entry. The 2014 Cherokee arrives at dealers in the third quarter of this year. William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 All-new 2014 Jeep® Cherokee to start at $22,995 Jeep® raises the bar with legendary benchmark 4x4 capability, world-class on-road dynamics, fuel economy of more than 30 mpg, modern and progressive new design, world-class craftsmanship, and an array of advanced safety and technology features All-new 2014 Jeep® Cherokee pricing starts at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $22,995 2014 Jeep Cherokee is priced less than outgoing Liberty model, but offers more advanced technology and safety features, significantly improved fuel economy, and many segment “firsts” Best-in-class 4x4 capability with three new advanced four-wheel-drive systems and industry-first rear-axle disconnect Segment-first 9-speed transmission contributes to improved fuel economy, as well as on- and off-road driving performance More than 45-percent fuel economy improvement versus outgoing Liberty and driving range of nearly 500 miles, courtesy of new 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir2 I-4 engine First use of Chrysler Group’s new 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 engine More than 70 advanced safety and security features including first Chrysler Group use of ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist System Array of advanced, cutting-edge technology features Modern, progressive new Jeep design June 10, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Available to consumers in the third quarter of this year, the all-new 2014 Jeep® Cherokee will be offered at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $22,995 (plus $995 destination). Jeep Cherokee’s starting price is hundreds of dollars less than the outgoing Jeep Liberty model, while offering more fuel economy, more advanced safety and technology features, even more class-leading 4x4 capability, a modern and progressive new design, and significantly improved everyday on-road ride and handling. “The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee is entering the largest SUV segment in North America with an unmatched combination of capability, fuel efficiency, technology, safety and value,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Jeep Cherokee is absolutely packed with content that includes numerous industry and segment ‘firsts’ that directly translate to a tremendous value for consumers shopping in the mid-size SUV segment, which boasts two million sales annually in North America and five million globally.” Completely redefining the mid-size SUV segment, the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee delivers legendary Jeep 4x4 capability, a segment-first nine-speed automatic transmission, fuel economy improvements of more than 45 percent (versus the outgoing Liberty model), superior on-road ride and handling, a new aerodynamic design, world-class craftsmanship, class-exclusive technology and more than 70 advanced safety and security features. The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is available in four different trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk. Following are the starting U.S. MSRPs for each 2014 Jeep Cherokee model (all exclude $995 destination): Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x2: $22,995 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4: $24,995 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4x2: $24,495 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4x4: $26,495 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4x2: $27,995 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4x4: $29,995 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4: $29,495 For comparison, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee’s starting price is $400 less than the outgoing 2012 Liberty model, which started at $23,395 for Sport 4x2 models and $25,395 for Sport 4x4 models. 2014 Jeep Cherokee Sport The Jeep Cherokee Sport model with a starting U.S. MSRP of $22,995 delivers a sleek, athletic design, world-class craftsmanship, fuel economy of up to 31 miles per gallon (mpg), a class-exclusive nine-speed automatic transmission and legendary Jeep capability in all weather conditions with a price point customers will value. The Cherokee Sport model is powered by the new 2.4-liter MultiAir2 Tigershark I-4 engine which produces 184 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque and a driving range on a tank of gasoline of nearly 500 miles. Standard equipment includes: Compact U.S. Wide (CUS-wide) platform and high-strength steel body, drivetrain with rear axle disconnect, black power mirrors and door handles, Uconnect 5.0-inch touchscreen media center with Bluetooth for hands-free phone and streaming audio capability and a media hub that offers USB, SD and auxiliary ports and charging capability, a new 3.5-inch full-color, thin-film transistor (TFT) LED center cluster, cloth seats with driver and passenger manual height adjuster, driver-seat back pocket, 60/40 split rear seat that reclines, has an armrest and cup holder and adjusts fore and aft up to six inches, acoustic, laminated front windshield, power windows with driver one-touch down, sliding sun visors with illuminated mirrors, cargo management system, 10 air bags including multistage driver and front passenger air bags, driver and front-passenger knee bags, front- and second-row seat-mounted side air bags, supplemental all-row side curtain air bags; LED tail lamps and daytime running lamps, halogen projector headlamps, bright exhaust tip, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, Hill-start Assist, electric power steering, electric park brake, cruise control, air conditioning with rear outlets, remote keyless entry, power remote open fuel door, tire pressure monitoring system with four tire display, tire inflator kit, 17-inch steel wheels with all-season tires and class-exclusive Jeep Cargo Management system including standard hooks and storage tote and available lifestyle accessories. Optional equipment and packages for the 2014 Cherokee Sport include: Jeep Active Drive I 4x4 system, Selec-Terrain drive mode selector (standard equipment with 4x4 equipped vehicles), SiriusXM Radio, ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines, 17-inch aluminum wheels, engine block heater, Cold Weather Group and Trailer-tow Group. 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude model is the volume model for the Cherokee lineup, has a starting U.S. MSRP of $24,495 and is packed with an impressive amount of standard and available features. The Cherokee Latitude model includes all the standard equipment found on the Sport model as well as: body color power mirrors and door handles, bright daylight opening (DLO) molding and roof rails, deep tint sunscreen glass, fog lamps, power windows with one-touch up and down, front passenger fold-flat seat with in-seat storage space, leather-wrapped steering wheel, ambient LED interior lighting, new 17-inch aluminum wheels, air conditioning with integrated center stack controls, 115-volt outlet and compact spare tire. Optional equipment and packages on the Jeep Cherokee Latitude includes: new 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 engine which produces 271 horsepower and 239 lb.-ft. of torque and a driving range on a tank of gasoline of 460 miles, Jeep Active Drive I 4x4 system, Jeep Active Drive II 4x4 system, Selec-Terrain drive mode selector (standard equipment with 4x4 equipped vehicles), 8.4-inch touchscreen Uconnect radio, 506-watt Alpine premium audio with nine speakers and subwoofer, CommandView dual-pane panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, engine block heater, Cold Weather Group, Comfort/Convenience Group and Trailer-tow Group. 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited model has a starting U.S. MSRP of $27,995 and offers the discerning customer luxury amenities at an affordable price point. The Cherokee Limited features the standard equipment of the Latitude model as well as leather heated power seats, heated steering wheel, Keyless Enter-N-Go, automatic headlamps, heated, signal mirrors with approach/courtesy lamps, bright lower fascia appliques front and rear, security alarm, new 18-inch polished/painted aluminum wheels with all-season tires, 8-way power driver seat with 4-way power driver lumbar adjust, 7-inch full-color, thin film transistor, reconfigurable instrument cluster, 8.4-inch touchscreen radio, SiriusXM Radio, USB in instrument panel media center for iPod, ParkView rear backup camera, remote start, dual-zone automatic temperature control, auto-dim rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, leather-wrapped shift knob and cargo net. Optional equipment and packages include: new 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 engine which produces 271 horsepower and 239 lb.-ft. of torque and a driving range on a tank of gasoline of 460 miles, Jeep Active Drive I, Jeep Active Drive II, Selec-Terrain drive mode selector (standard equipment with 4x4 equipped vehicles), Uconnect Access 8.4N HD radio with navigation and 8.4-inch touchscreen, wireless charging pad, 506-watt Alpine audio with nine speakers and subwoofer, CommandView dual-pane panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, engine block heater, Cold Weather Group, Technology Group, Comfort/Convenience Group, Trailer Tow Group and Luxury Group. 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk With a starting U.S. MSRP of $29,495, the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk model is the ultimate expression of off-road ruggedness and performance delivering best-in-class Trail Rated 4x4 capability. The Cherokee Trailhawk includes the standard equipment of the Cherokee Latitude model, as well as unique off-road front and rear fascias, off-road wheel flares, red tow hooks, skid plates, off-road suspension, one-inch increased ride height, heavy-duty engine cooling and auxiliary transmission oil cooler, Jeep Active Drive Lock 4x4 system with low range and locking rear axle, Selec-Terrain drive mode selector, new Selec-Speed Control with Hill-ascent Control and Hill-descent Control, heated, power mirrors, accent color mirrors, grille surrounds, lower fascia appliques and roof rails, black DLO moldings, red “Trail Rated” and “Trailhawk” badges, new 17-inch polished aluminum wheels with black painted pockets and OWL all-terrain tires, full-size spare tire, unique cloth and leather interior, red accent stitching on instrument panel brow, seats, door armrests, center console lid, shifter boot and console netting, red “Trailhawk” tag on console netting, leather-wrapped shift knob, 7-inch full-color, thin-film transistor, reconfigurable instrument cluster, 8.4-inch touchscreen radio, SiriusXM Radio, USB in instrument panel media center, cargo net and all-weather slush floor mats. The Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk includes as standard equipment aggressive approach (29.8 degrees) and departure (32.1 degrees) angles – compliments of unique front and rear fascias – a one-inch factory lift, and boasts an approach angle of 29.8 degrees. Running ground clearance is 8.7 inches. Optional equipment and packages include: new 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 engine which produces 271 horsepower and 239 lb.-ft. of torque and a driving range on a tank of gasoline of 460 miles, matte black hood decal, Uconnect Access 8.4N HD radio with navigation and 8.4-inch touchscreen, 506-watt Alpine audio with nine speakers and subwoofer, CommandView dual-pane panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, SkySlider open air sunroof, engine block heater, Cold Weather Group, Technology Group, Comfort/Convenience Group, Trailer-tow Group and Leather Interior Group. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 10, 2013 Monday: Chevrolet Malibu Turbo Wednesday: GMC Acadia Denali Friday: Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ Black Diamond The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu hasn't gotten off to the best of starts. When it was introduced last year, the only model you could get for the first few months was mild-hybrid Eco model. This was Chevrolet's attempt to gain a slight edge over the mid-size competition. A decision that sadly backfired on the company as reviews of the Malibu Eco leaned towards the negative. Since that time, Chevrolet has launched the other models in the Malibu lineup; the 2.5L and Turbo. Can these models help people forget the milquetoast reputation the Malibu currently has? I spent some time with a 2013 Malibu LTZ Turbo and here is what I found. The Malibu LTZ Turbo gets off to a good start with its visual appearance. The LTZ’s exterior gets small details such as new grille insert with a chrome strip running around and optional nineteen-inch alloy wheels that set off the distinctive design even more. Inside, the Malibu LTZ is much the same as the Eco I drove last year. Design is very much a love it or hate it mantra with a mishmash of a Camaro-esque gauge cluster, organic curves, and the veins running along the dash. Build quality was very good in my low mileage example. Installed in my vehicle was Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system with the optional Navigation system. Much like my experience in the Malibu Eco, MyLink was easy to use and quick to respond. The navigation system provided good information and the maps were easy to read at a quick glance. Of course the real story lies under the hood: A 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is shared Cadillac ATS. In the Malibu LTZ, it produces 259 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The engine can quickly put a smile on your face thanks to broad range of power. Build-up of power is very smooth, feeling like a V6 and not a turbo-four. Turbo lag was kept a minimum. The EPA rates the Malibu LTZ Turbo at 21 City/30 Highway/24 Combined. My fuel economy during the week was somewhat disappointing during the six days I had Malibu LTZ Turbo, returning an average of 21 MPG. I’m mostly blaming my somewhat heavy right foot on this. The highway run saw fuel economy increase to 28.1 MPG. My only concern in the Malibu Turbo’s powertrain was the six-speed automatic. Most of the time, the automatic was very competent with its shifts. But there were times when you would notice the transmission go into the ‘hunting for gears’ mode, especially when the transmission downshifts. I’m hoping this is a programming issue and not something else. In the handling department, the Malibu LTZ Turbo trades some of the comfort from the Eco model for a bit of sport. It's very noticeable when heading down your favorite road as the Malibu Turbo shows a bit of athleticism with the steering tightened up and the suspension not feeling like its made out of marshmallow fluff. Even with this added sportiness, Chevrolet made sure to balance the Malibu Turbo with some comfort. Driving on the expressway or in the city, the Malibu Turbo was very stable and able to soak up the bumps with no problem. However, not everything is perfect with Malibu LTZ Turbo. First is the claustrophobic-feeling back seat. Much like the Malibu Eco, the LTZ Turbo features the smallish back seat. This isn’t a good thing to have in a class where backseat space is one of the key criteria. The other problem point with the Malibu LTZ Turbo is the pricetag. The base price for the LTZ Turbo starts at $29,700, very reasonable for the top model. Its only when you start adding options that the price and value equation gets thrown out of whack. My tester with most, if not all options ticked comes to as tested price of $34,595. Two problems with this: One; certain items on the options list should be standard equipment on the top trim. Those items include push-button start, HID headlights, and a backup camera (note: the Malibu Eco I had last year had the backup camera as standard.) Two; most of competition when comparably equipped to the Malibu LTZ Turbo cost one to two thousand dollars less. The Malibu LTZ Turbo helps remove some of the milquetoast reputation of the Malibu by building upon the good stuff. However, the poor value for money and backseat space negates the improvements. There is a very good car here, but it is a hard sell. GM has announced a revised Malibu will be coming later this year and will address exterior and interior designs. Let’s hope it’s the shot in the arm the Malibu desperately needs. Cheers Turbo-Four engine Exterior Design Chevrolet MyLink Balance between comfort and sport Jeers Back seat space Pricetag Disclaimer: General Motors provided the vehicle, insurance, and one tank of gasoline. Year - 2013 Make – Chevrolet Model – Malibu Trim – 2LZ Engine – Ecotec 2.0L DOHC Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Driveline – Front-Wheel Drive, Six-Speed Automatic Horsepower @ RPM – 259 @ 5,500 RPM Torque @ RPM – 260 @ 1,700 - 5,500 RPM Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 21/30/24 Curb Weight – 3,600 lbs Location of Manufacture – Kansas City, KS Base Price - $29,700.00 As Tested Price - $34,595.00 (Includes $810.00 destination charge) Options: Electronics & Entertainment Package - $1,350.00 LTZ Premium Package - $1,000.00 Audio System w/Navigation, AM/FM CD Player w/7" Color Touchscreen - $795.00 Crystal Red Tintcoat - $395.00 Advance Safety Package - $395.00 Cocoa Fashion Trim - $150.00 William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article